Second delegation of Japanese businessmen to visit Russia’s Kuril Islands

YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, October 23. /TASS/. The second delegation of Japanese businessmen will visit agribusinesses, energy companies and fisheries on Russia’s South Kuril Islands, Deputy Director of the Second Asian Department at the Sakhalin region’s Economic Development Ministry Irina Zagidullina told TASS on Monday. She added that the visit was aimed at drawing up joint economic projects. "The visit’s program is currently under consideration at the Russian Foreign Ministry," she said. "On October 27, the delegation is expected to visit the Kunashir Island, on October 28 they will to the Iturup Island and on October 29 the delegation members will travel to the Shikotan Island, returning to the Kunashir Island on October 30," Zagidullina elaborated, adding that the "delegation will visit local fisheries, energy companies, tourist facilities, waste processing facilities and agribusinesses in order to draw up joint economic projects. In July, the first delegation of Japanese businessmen, led by Special Adviser to the country’s prime minister Eiichi Hasegawa, made a four-day visit to the Kunashir, Iturup and Shikotan Islands. The delegation members acquainted themselves with the activities of dozens of companies, including energy, tourist and trading ones, as well as transport and tourism facilities and fisheries. They also held meetings with local authorities and businessmen. During their visit, the Japanese investors expressed particular interest in trade, fishing and tourism industries. Besides, joint projects aimed at developing alternative energy sector and household waste management were also discussed. Sakhalin Region Governor Oleg Kozhemyako earlier spoke out in favor of launching ferry and air service between the South Kuril Islands and Japan. According to him, it is one of the main conditions for boosting business ties. South Kuril Islands issue Since the mid-20th century, Russia and Japan have been holding consultations in order to clinch a peace treaty as a follow-up to World War II. The Kuril Islands issue remains the sticking point since after WWII the islands were handed over to the Soviet Union while Japan has laid claims to the four southern islands. In 1956, the two countries signed a common declaration on ending the state of war and restoring diplomatic and all other relations, however, a peace treaty has still not been reached. Moscow has stated many times that Russia’s sovereignty over the islands could not be questioned. On December 15-16, 2016, the Russian president visited Japan for the first in 11 years. The peace treaty issue and the South Kuril Islands issue topped the agenda, while bilateral cooperation was also discussed. Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe adopted a joint statement saying that consultations on joint economic activities on the South Kuril Islands could become an important step on the way to a peace treaty. The first consultations on joint economic activities, involving the Russian and Japanese deputy foreign ministers, were held in Tokyo on March 18. After the consultations, Japan said that participants in the meeting had presented their specific plans on cooperation in healthcare, tourism industry and fishery. Read more